timing chain ? again

[3bvert]

so I am asking this in a new thread so it does not get lost in old threads

so I am slowly getting around to replacing my chain,.slowly cause of lack of $$$ and IM not driving it right now, Ive got other wheels...

every thread I ahve read says replace everything in there. Even threads that take you to a link that lists all the parts needed. And ther is a full timing chain set up for sale in the classifieds

hoever, none of the threads I have read, or parts listed for sale list the "deflection" sprocket
# 11311727569

looking at mine , it looks like it just has a bearing thta could be pressed in but isnt this item needed if as people say ........ "replace everything"
or for sale.............."everything that is needed "
or write ups with parts on how to do a chain

[3bvert]

item #11 is what I was refering to....
by the way, when I had to park the car it was the long guide #6 is whaqt went out on mine from being beat to death buy a loose/worn chain and the chain beating on the case

[gearheadE30]

The reason they never say to replace it is because if I remember right it is just an idler sprocket, so it doesn't have nearly the load on it that the crank and cam drive sprockets have. The teeth can get worn as the chain stretches, but there is no reason that it should hurt or noticeably reduce the life of a new one.

[KenC]

I've never seen worn teeth on an idler wheel.

#6 should be replaced on every M42. The original design was stamped steel with a plastic inlay. The plastic gets brittle and falls out of the guide. The new ones are all plastic.

[Dj Buttchug]

yea the deflection wheel doesnt need replacing in most cases. like stated earlier it has little or no load on it. it just spins.

[Ceeker]

the best thing to do is inspect the teeth and possible wear on the sprocket. See if they resemble the same as the ones with load. if so. change it. if not, then you're ok. Don't assume anything.

[3bvert]

ok......so I understand it has no or little load, but it has a bearing in it. some of us are replacing chains at 100k+. in my case 170k
so we are to assume that the bearing is good for how many miles ?????

I think IM gonna look at it better when I get it off, adn see if I can press a new bearing into it, since I have a parts engine, Ill take the ugliest to experiment with.
if it can be done , then I think it should be added to the list as another part to replace... otherwise, I looked it up and its $140 and limited availability
so maybe that speaks to its longevity....that would be the most expensive single item in the whole job

[bmwman91]

This topic has been hot hot hot on M42Club this week! Knowing what I know now, I would suck it up & replace the idler sprocket, despite its outrageous cost. The bearings have a tendency to blow out of their race. It happened to me and a few others. Nothing sucks more than rebuilding the timing assembly and then having to go back in there a year or two later.

Here is my story:

http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13574

Here's a current discussion:

http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14151

Alternatively, you can locate an M44 timing case and put that in. It uses a rubber/plastic deflector rail instead of the sprocket. Removing & reinstalling a timing case without removing the head is a pain in the ass though (done it a few times).

[110stx]

M42 maintenance FTW!
Sorry, I really wanted to use that one.

[mr.vang]

i recommend you replace oil filter housing gasket while your at it.

[KenC]

Just spin the idler wheel and check how the bearings are. Mine has 325k on it and it spins perfect and silky smooth.

[3bvert]

yep Ill probabally spin em to test, but I still might take the worst and see about pressing in a new bearing, I got the press (12 ton) and tanks etc and surely the bearing is not over 30 bucks
but it will still be weeks before I get to it, so Ill let people know at the time


also, the oil pressure relief valve, does the upper oil pan have to come off to get to it, thats the way it looks in Real OEM
however I read somewhere back that you can get it from behind th eoil filter housing

[KenC]

yep Ill probabally spin em to test, but I still might take the worst and see about pressing in a new bearing, I got the press (12 ton) and tanks etc and surely the bearing is not over 30 bucks
but it will still be weeks before I get to it, so Ill let people know at the time


also, the oil pressure relief valve, does the upper oil pan have to come off to get to it, thats the way it looks in Real OEM
however I read somewhere back that you can get it from behind th eoil filter housing

Upper pan has to come off.